Frank Luntz, a polling expert, convened a virtual focus group of independent voters from swing states to assess the first Trump-Biden debate. Luntz has conducted televised focus groups for major news outlets since 1996. He is not working for any presidential candidate or political party in the 2020 election. Los […] Read more »
Tonight, Biden could use Trump’s returns to shift the debate on taxes
How will Americans react to the news that President Trump has for years paid next to nothing in taxes? They will be angry, but they won’t be surprised. Trump’s tax returns confirm what most Americans already believe — that the tax code unfairly rewards the rich and that wealthy people […] Read more »
The First Debate: Voters who plan to watch are rooting for their candidate, few are still trying to decide
In an election where almost everyone says they’ve already made up their minds, few debate watchers tonight say they are trying to decide who to vote for. Instead, they’re rooting for their candidate, looking to see how they do, and they’re also playing political consultant, offering some views on debate […] Read more »
What Polls Say About the 2020 Race as Biden and Trump Square Off
… Chris Wallace, the Fox News host who will moderate the debate on Tuesday, has announced the six topics on which it will be focused: the Supreme Court, the coronavirus outbreak, the integrity of the election, the economy, “race and violence in our cities,” and the respective political records of […] Read more »
How to watch the debates like a pro
The worst part of any presidential debate is the post-debate spin. Fortunately, there are five simple rules, backed by historical polling data, that can give you a sense of how the first meeting between President Trump and Joe Biden might affect the race. Rule No. 1: Keep an open mind. […] Read more »
There you go again
Journalists love to identify turning points–the gaffe that sank a campaign, or the snappy comeback that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Academic studies regularly find no evidence that individual events make much difference, but the pundits are undeterred. CONT. David Weakliem, U. of Connecticut Read more »